2 Answers

IRS will start accepting the 1040 income tax returns January 30 2013 for the 2012 FIT returns efiled online.
Refund amounts sometime after the first week in February and MIGHT be possible up to 21 days after the DATE that the IRS send out to you the acknowledgment that it has received the 1040 income tax return and ACCEPTED IT to start the processing of the 1040 income tax return at that time.
What to Expect for Refunds in 2013 After they send out to you and you do RECEIVE your acknowledgment from the IRS and printed a copy of it so that you can read it very slowly and carefully to try and understand what the message is really telling you at that time in your life about your anticipated REFUND amount for that purpose.
The IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days last year. The same results are expected in 2013.
Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.
Use Where’s My Refund? to Check the Status of Your Refund.
Where’s My Refund? has a new look for 2013! The tool will include a tracker that displays progress through 3 stages: (1) Return Received, (2) Refund Approved and (3) Refund Sent.
You will get personalized refund information based on the processing of your tax return. The tool will provide an actual refund date as soon as the IRS processes your tax return and approves your refund. Remember, most refunds will be issued in less than 21 days.
In 2013 you will be able to start checking on the status of your return sooner – within 24 hours after we have received your e-filed return or 4 weeks after you mail a paper return.

Caution,
Don’t count on getting your refund by a certain date to make major purchases or pay other financial obligations. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.